Inquiry into Hamill death will only probe police actions

There has been an angry reaction in the North to a decision not to allow a public inquiry into the murder of a Co Armagh man to question the prosecution service.

The family of the dead man, Robert Hamill, and their legal advisers are understood to be devastated by the unexpected ruling.

In April 1997, Robert Hamill was walking home in Portadown when a group of loyalists launched an unprovoked attack, beating and stamping him to death.

Eye witnesses said a police patrol, specifically on duty at a road junction notorious for such attacks, failed to respond to their pleas for help.

Six men were charged with murder but, one after one, the charges were either reduced or dropped completely.

The British government finally announced a public inquiry but only into the actions of the police, not the prosecution service.

Today's ruling, that it has no case to answer, is bitterly disappointing for them and is almost certain to face a legal challenge.